Episode 01: The Song Beneath the Soil

Written By Lupo Passero

Welcome to the very first episode of Ritual Herbalism, a podcast devoted to exploring how we heal in relationship with the Earth, our ancestors, and ourselves. Every episode will be an invitation to slow down, tune in, and remember our place within nature’s rhythm.

In this episode, The Song Beneath the Soil, I’m joined by Jenna Faccenda—Twin Star’s beloved office goddess and a gifted herbalist in her own right—as we explore what it means to emerge, transform, and reclaim our voice.

Episode Themes: Cicadas, Pluto, and the Voice Within

Right now in Western North Carolina, the Earth is alive with the sound of 17-year cicadas—ancient beings who spend most of their lives underground, only to rise in chorus. At the same time, Pluto is in retrograde, ushering us into a season of introspection, personal excavation, and powerful transformation.

This episode explores:

  • The symbolism of cicadas and what they teach us about timing, emergence, and ancestral rhythm

  • The energy of Pluto retrograde and its invitation to uncover, release, and rise

  • The power of voice as medicine, and how speaking truth is a form of healing

  • The medicine of Black Cohosh flower essence, a powerful plant ally for shadow work and rebirth

  • What it means to walk the path of ritual herbalism, attuned to nature’s cycles and the deeper currents within

Plant Ally: Black Cohosh

In this episode, we journey with Black Cohosh, a native Appalachian plant that germinates underground for nearly a decade before flowering. Its flower essence holds medicine for those navigating deep inner transformation, grief, or suppressed truths. It helps us:

  • Move through the shadows with clarity and strength

  • Reclaim silenced parts of ourselves

  • Support emotional release and emergence

If you’re drawn to flower essences or curious to learn more, we invite you to explore our courses below.

Ritual Invitation

Sit with a plant. Listen.

Ask: What do you want to teach me about emergence?

Or journal with the prompt:

What voice within you is ready to rise and be heard?

Learn with Us

We are currently accepting students into both of our flower essence programs:

Step into a relationship with the plants, the land, and your healing journey. We’d be honored to walk with you.

Thank you for being here for this first step. May this episode support your emergence, your voice, and your reconnection with your own medicine. If you liked the episode, please share with your friends, subscribe to Apple, Spotify, or wherever you listen to podcasts and leave a review!

Lupo Passero